Wingstem
(Verbesina alternifolia)
Wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia)
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Louise Woodrich
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Louise Woodrich
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Louise Woodrich | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Louise Woodrich | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2020-09-23T12:12:11-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Verbesina alternifolia, commonly known as Wingstem or Yellow Ironweed, is a perennial herb native to the eastern and central United States, often found in moist meadows, floodplains, and at the edges of woodlands. It typically grows to a height of 3 to 8 feet (0.9 to 2.4 meters) with a spread of 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 meters). Wingstem features tall, erect stems with alternate leaves and distinctive winged petioles. From late summer to early fall, it produces clusters of bright yellow, daisy-like flowers with drooping petals and raised central disks, which are quite showy and attract a variety of pollinators.
Wingstem is valued for its late-season blooms and ability to thrive in wetter soils, making it suitable for rain gardens, naturalized areas, and wildlife gardens. It is a larval host to the gold moth (Basilodes pepita) and the silvery checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis), contributing to biodiversity. This plant prefers full sun to part shade and medium water, adapting well to soils with medium drainage. While it is not commonly afflicted by diseases, it can spread aggressively by seed in optimal conditions, which should be considered when planting in smaller spaces.CC BY-SA 4.0
Wingstem is valued for its late-season blooms and ability to thrive in wetter soils, making it suitable for rain gardens, naturalized areas, and wildlife gardens. It is a larval host to the gold moth (Basilodes pepita) and the silvery checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis), contributing to biodiversity. This plant prefers full sun to part shade and medium water, adapting well to soils with medium drainage. While it is not commonly afflicted by diseases, it can spread aggressively by seed in optimal conditions, which should be considered when planting in smaller spaces.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 4-8 feet
- Width: 2-6 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Hummingbird Garden, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Moist meadows, floodplains, and woodland edges
Other Names
Common Names: Yellow Ironweed, 나래가막사리
Scientific Names: , Verbesina alternifolia, Actinomeris alternifolia, Coreopsis alternifolia, Actinomeris squarrosa, Verbesina coreopsis, Actinomeris oppositifolia, Ridan alternifolium, Actinomeris alternifolia var. alba, Actinomeris alternifolia var. alternifolia
GBIF Accepted Name: Verbesina alternifolia (L.) Britton ex Kearney